Shakespeare and Beckett

This book explores the vast intertextual network between William Shakespeare and Samuel Beckett, analysing resonant correspondences in their aesthetics, theatre, language, and form. It uncovers hitherto unexplored relations between the texts and offers fresh readings of single passages and entire works, while also describing productive tensions and creative incongruences.

Format: Hardback
Length: 300 pages
Publication date: 26 January 2023
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

The peril lies in the precision of identification, as famously proclaimed by Samuel Beckett. At first glance, it would seem that no two authors could be more disparate than William Shakespeare and Samuel Beckett. This book delves into the intricate web of intertextuality linking the works of both writers, uncovering profound resonances between them. It examines the ways in which these resonances manifest themselves in their aesthetics, theatre, language, and form. It traces convergences and inversions that transcend the boundaries of their respective eras and artistic possibilities. By exploring hitherto undiscovered connections between the texts of an early modern and a late modern author, this study aims to provide fresh interpretations of individual passages and entire works. It will also unveil productive tensions and creative inconsistencies between them.

Introduction:
In the realm of literature, the relationship between two authors can be a fascinating and complex tapestry. While it is common to draw comparisons and contrasts between works, it is often the subtleties and resonances that truly capture our attention. This study seeks to explore the profound intertextual network between the works of William Shakespeare and Samuel Beckett, two towering figures of the literary world. By examining the resonant correspondences between their writings, we aim to shed light on the ways in which their aesthetics, theatre, language, and form intertwine and influence each other.

Aesthetic Resonances:
One of the most striking aspects of the intertextual relationship between Shakespeare and Beckett is their shared fascination with the human condition. Both authors delve deep into the complexities of human nature, exploring themes of love, jealousy, power, and mortality. Shakespeare's plays, such as Romeo and Juliet, Macbeth, and Hamlet, are rich in metaphor and symbolism, while Beckett's plays, such as Waiting for Godot, Endgame, and Happy Days, are characterized by their minimalist style and elliptical language. Despite their stylistic differences, both authors manage to convey a profound understanding of the human experience, eliciting empathy and compassion from their audiences.

Theatre Resonances:
Shakespeare and Beckett also share a deep appreciation for the power of theatre. Both authors were masters of the stage, and their works are renowned for their ability to captivate audiences and convey complex emotions and ideas. Shakespeare's plays are known for their intricate plotlines, memorable characters, and powerful language, while Beckett's plays are characterized by their minimalist set designs, sparse dialogue, and the exploration of the human condition through the lens of absurdity. Despite their distinct theatrical styles, both authors were able to create powerful and enduring works that continue to be performed and studied worldwide.

Language Resonances:
Shakespeare and Beckett also exhibit a remarkable similarity in their use of language. Both authors were skilled linguists, and their works are filled with complex metaphors, similes, and rhetorical devices. Shakespeare's use of language is often rich and descriptive, while Beckett's language is more elliptical and minimalist. Despite their stylistic differences, both authors were able to create powerful and evocative language that resonated with their audiences.

Form Resonances:
In addition to their aesthetic, theatrical, and linguistic resonances, Shakespeare and Beckett also share a fascination with form. Both authors were experimental in their approach to writing, and their works often defy traditional narrative structures. Shakespeare's plays are known for their complex plotlines, multiple characters, and shifting perspectives, while Beckett's plays are characterized by their use of fragmentation, repetition, and the exploration of the void. Despite their distinct formal approaches, both authors were able to create works that are both challenging and rewarding to read and study.

Conclusion:
In conclusion, the intertextual relationship between William Shakespeare and Samuel Beckett is a rich and complex tapestry that reveals the profound influence of one author on the other. Through their shared exploration of the human condition, their appreciation for the power of theatre, their use of language, and their experimentation with form, both authors were able to create works that are both enduring and influential. This study seeks to offer fresh readings of single passages and entire works, but it will also describe productive tensions and creative incongruences between them. By delving into the intertextual network between these two great authors, we hope to gain a deeper understanding of the human experience and the power of literature to transcend time and cultural boundaries.

ISBN-13: 9781316514030